Assemblyman Guy Gregg

GREGG CALLS FOR PROBE INTO
ATTORNEY GENERAL FARBER'S INTERFERENCE
WITH BOYFRIEND'S TRAFFIC STOP

June 30, 2006

Assemblyman Guy Gregg/973-584-5422
Assembly Republican Office/609-292-5339

Assemblyman Guy Gregg today expressed outrage over reports that state Attorney General Zulima Farber pressured police officers to void vehicle citations that were issued to her live-in boyfriend, Hamlet Goore. Gregg called on the State Commission of Investigation (SCI) to agree to launch an investigation into this matter within the next 48 hours.

"These are very serious allegations and if they are found to be true the entire credibility of the Attorney General's Office will have been jeopardized," said Gregg, R-Sussex, Morris, and Hunterdon. "This type of behaviour sends a horrible message to the public that government officials can easily manipulate New Jersey's justice system. No one is above the law."

Several newspapers reported today that the Fairview police in Bergen County wrote Hamlet Goore tickets for driving with a suspended license and driving an uninsured vehicle. The citations were apparently thrown out after Attorney General Zulima Farber, Goore's girlfriend, showed up at the scene.

Gregg said given the gravity of the matter the SCI should launch an investigation at once.

"The SCI needs to commence an immediate inquiry into these charges to ensure the integrity of the process is protected," Gregg said. "Bergen County is a heavily Democratic area and I am not confident the county prosecutor's office will be able to conduct an impartial investigation. It's not unheard of to have political and personal considerations influence these types of probes."

Gregg said Attorney General Farber's conduct as our state's top law enforcement officer has been abysmal.

"Sadly, in New Jersey, the abuse of power by political figures has become commonplace," declared Gregg. "It appears Attorney General Farber allowed a personal relationship to interfere with her position as a law enforcement official. She, once again, failed to satisfactorily execute the duties of her office."

Gregg said the SCI should not only look into allegations that Farber improperly influenced police action but the reasons why Goore's vehicle was not registered.

"Why was the vehicle not registered?" questioned Gregg. "Why didn't the Attorney General press her boyfriend to rectify this situation sooner? For what purposes did Mr. Goore use this vehicle? There are a lot of questions that need to be answered."

#####